The government has declared an alert because of a growing presence of the salivosa bug in areas where farming activities occur.
Since last year, the occurrence of the pest in the departments of Petén and Alta Vera Paz has intensified, putting at risk the development of livestock and eventually the supply of meat and milk in the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry wishes to purchase protective equipment, supplies for monitoring, raw materials for pest control, traceability and food safety.
Nicaragua Government Purchase NI-L1067 - 38831843:
Overproduction along with the thrips pest, which has affected 35% of production, are putting downward pressure on the price of the seed.
On top of the negative effect of the pest on crops, is the lack of implementation of good practices by smallholders and soil problems arising from, among other factors, deforestation.
The decline in the U.S. supply caused by the effects of a pest in plantations in Florida, creates opportunities for Central American producers.
An attack of the yellow dragon disease in plantations in the state of Florida, the second largest supplier of orange juice, caused a decrease in supply resulting in a price increase. While last December the product was trading on the U.S stock market for $1.35 per pound of solids up until last Monday was the price stood at $1.47.
In Costa Rica there has been an increase in the incidence Diaspis boisduvalii and Pseudococcus elisae mealybug in crops on the Atlantic slope.
From a press release by the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE):
The State Phytosanitary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture has declared a national emergency for the term of one year, due to increasing populations with the Diaspis boisduvalii and Pseudococcus elisae mealybug which are causing severe damage to banana crops. It is estimated that the impact has affected about 24 thousand hectares, according to data provided by CORBANA and the National Commission of Musaceae.
30% of grain plantations in the province of Chiriqui are being affected by an outbreak of the mite Spinky.
This pest is "... considered one of the most hazardous in the world, having the peculiarity of multiplying very fast in plantations and thereby affecting yields per hectare", reported Prensa.com.
According to authorities, the outbreak appeared because farmers are using seeds which are contaminated and of dubious origin.
About 100 thousand plants in the citrus departments north and east of the country have been destroyed by the yellow leaf virus.
Prensalibre.com reports: "Honduras' citrus production covers about 23,000 hectares, of which about 19,500 are oranges, 1.100 lemons and 500 grapefruit in commercial plantations, while the rest are crops in family estates".
The presence of a dangerous bacteria in Mexico has worried Honduran producers over the possibility of the entry of the disease by land, in contaminated containers and vehicles.
"The chances of early mortality bacteria entering the national territory are high, since Mexico is one of the main destinations for fresh shrimp coming out of the shrimp farms operating in the south of the country, which is being sent in Salvadoran and Guatemalan dredgers", reported Elheraldo.hn.
On May 30 a workshop will be held in Guatemala on the importance of production of certified citrus plants in protected nurseries.
From a press release by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT):
This and other topics will be given in the seminar-workshop entitled "The importance of production of certified citrus plants in protected nurseries", which is being organized by the Citrus committee at AGEXPORT. This seminar-workshop, which will be held, on Thursday May 30, 2013 in AGEXPORT, is being held with the aim of establishing certified material from protected nurseriesto, so as to produce healthy citrus to market nationally and internationally.
A proposal has been made in to parliament for a new law creating a central body to control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals in the country.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Indian Agriculture Minister, Sarad Pawar, sent a new law to the parliament of his country, which will create a central agency, the Agricultural Biosecurity Authority of India (ABAI), in order to predict, control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals.
Two new plagues have damaged 50% of the current crop of potatoes in Guatemala causing prices to double, jumping from $15 to $30 per quintal.
The fleahopper and leaf miner pests, are currently affecting 50% of the potato crop in Guatemala. According to the Agriculture Minister Elmer Lopez the virus known as leafroller, has caused the contamination of 3000 of the 6000 acres that were expected this season.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the purchase of fungicides to be delivered to 60,000 Guatemalan coffee growers, in order to combat rust.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food in Guatemala (MAGA), will hold a competition for the acquisition of fungicides, with which it hopes to benefit some 60,000 coffee producers, out of the 90,000 that there are in the country, said Elmer Lopez representative from the Ministry.
Given the great threat to citrus fruits posed by the Huanglongbing plague, a project is being planned to strengthen control of the pest and for the implementation of integrated pest management for citrus fruits.
From a statement from the International Regional Organization for Animal Health (OIRSA):
Bad for some ... good for others ... the Agricultural Suppliers Association of El Salvador projects a 35% increase in sales of fungicides to the coffee industry.
Elmundo.com.sv reports that "So far, more than $2 million has been invested in the purchase of fungicides to combat the rust blight, however, to attend to all of the coffee plantations, it would take up to $7 million."
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